Jason Dewhirst had been caught stealing from Boots, in Nelson, 12 times. On every occasion, he targeted the men’s aisle, and nearly always stole Lynx. Despite being banned from the store, he returned and was filling a bag with cans of Lynx when he was challenged by the store manager.

Dewhirst, 38, of Highgate, Nelson, pleaded guilty to stealing 10 cans of Lynx, worth £35, and stealing groceries from the Spar shop, in Burnley Road, Accrington. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, made subject to community supervision for 12 months, with a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement, and ordered to pay £40 compensation and £80 costs.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Dewhirst had a problem with heroin addiction.